C,,M 



/ 



IlIBRARY OF CONGRESS.! 



I [FORCE COLLECTION. 



I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. J 



AN 



HALF CE:t^TURY 

SERMON, 

DELIVERED AT 

i 

ASHBURNHAM, 

^ Nov. 3, 1818. 



BY JOHN GUSHING, A.M. 

rASTOR OE THE CONGREGATIONAL CHVRCH IN SAID TOWN". 



1. will meditate also of all thy wotk,^and talk of thy doings. 
Thou art tiie God that doest wonders. PSAL.'lxxTii. 12 14, 



'' ^Vashioi?'^'" 



% 



PRINTED BY WILLIAM MANNIMO. 
Decembtr, 1818. 



F^ 4- 



c^ 



Ashhurnham, JVov. 30, 1818. 
Rev. Mr. Cusiiing, 

THE undersigned are a committee, chosen by the subscri- 
bers for your Half Century Sermon, to solicit a copy of the 
same for publication. 

Very respectfully yours, 

sherh. hunt, 

abr. thompson lowe, 

I. JEWETT. 



Ashbur7ifiamf JVov. 30, 1818. 
Gentlemen, 

IT is with diffidence I submit to your request. Believing 
it will be gratifying "to numbers to know the beginning and 
progress of the Town, and to review the wonderful works of 
God whi£h have been wrought in the United States and the 
world, in the past fifty years, I submit the Discourse to the 
world, presuming every candid person will be disposed to 
make proper allowances for an old man, whose intentions he 
thinks are good. 

I am. Gentlemen, yours respectfully, 

JOHN GUSHING-. 



Deacon Sherebiah Hunt, 

Dr. Abr. Thompson Low, ^ Committee. 

Col. IvKRS Jewett, 



,v,> 



AN 

* 



Half Century Sermon. 



*^i?jfjc?Qiyi?j i 



Psalm cxlv. 4. 



One generation shall praise thy works unto another^ 
and shall declare thy mighty acts* 

vAJRIOSITY is very natural to man. How 
full of questions generally are children ! They are not 
born with knov/iedge, and how shall they obtain it, 
but by asking questions, till they can read, and get 
information for themselves? And their questions 
ought not to be disregarded ; but they should be 
instructed as their capacities enlarge. 

Curiosity excites in us a desire to know what is 
doing in the world : hence it is that such great 
numbers of newspapers and histories are published. 

Curiosity also leads us to know the history of our 
ancestors. How carefully is every fragment pre- 
served which tends to throw light upon their man- 
ners, customs, sufferings, prosperity, and the pro- 
gress they made in subduing a wilderness. An 
Historical Society has been formed in this Com- 
monwealth for collecting and publishing every thinp* 
which related to the settlement of New- England ; 
and a number of volumes have been already pub- 
lished, that one generation might declare to another 
the mighty acts of the Lord. ^ 

* This Sermon would have been delivered on the 2d day, had it not 
been it was the day of meeting to choose a Representative to Congress. 



4 

upon taking a retrospective view of God's deal- 
ings with our fathers, it is difficult to know where 
to begin and where to end. To give an account of 
their persecutions, their perils, their sufferings and 
hardships — of their wars with the natives — of their 
fortitude and perseverance — of their religious trans- 
actions — of their attempts at purity in worship, and 
to estabhsh a scriptural mode of discipline — and of 
their mistakes, and of the persecutions of those who 
dissented from them, would fill volumes ; and ma- 
ny volumes have been written. 

There is generally a veneration for ancestors. 
They are extolled, and their virtues rated higher 
than those of their descendants ; for it has been 
common in every age to lament the degeneracy of 
the present generation. If we confine our tiews to 
New- England, there is probably reason or ground 
for the complaint ; for the first settlers were gene- 
rally a very pious people. It was purely for con- 
science' sake that they left the comforts and sweets 
of their native land, and came to this howling wil- 
derness, where their sufferings were greater than we 
can well conceive. But in some of the other States, 
I do not suppose tftat there is reason to complain of 
degeneracy ; because the first settlers were many of 
them the dregs of the people. But the fathers of 
New-England were not perfect. They brought 
with them an intolerant spirit ; and although they 
fled from persecution, they were guilty of persecut- 
ing dissenters from them ; and the punishments, in 
bome cases, extended to banishment, and if they 
returned, to death ; and a number did actually suf- 
fer death. 

I wish an impenetrable veil could have been 
drawn over their transactions, so that they never 
should have reached posterity. But faithful history 
has handed them down to this day. And they have 
their use. The present generation may be led to 



5 

it 

feel more their obligations to God for the liberty of 
conscience that every one enjoys. Now, one's re- 
ligious opinions or sentiments do not subject him 
to any disabilities or persecutions. 

In extenuation of the doings of our ancestors, it 
may be observed, that toleration was not then un- 
derstood. They pleaded, that here there was room 
enough, and if any would not conform to their creed, 
worship and discipline, they might go elsewhere ; 
for they did not choose to be interrupted in the or- 
der of things which they had established. 

But the founders of New-England ought to be 
had in grateful remembrance by every generation, 
for the foundations they laid for maintaining relig- 
ion and liberty. It was a lav/, that every tovv^n 
should maintain a learned minister and a grammar 
school. Our fathers considered that religion and 
kno^edge were the two pillars on which alone a 
free government could be supported. And their 
sentiments were perfectly just and right, as the ex- 
perience of every age has demonstrated. By these 
means, the flame of liberty was kept burning — the 
love of it warmed every breast. They fled their 
native land for the sake of it. They were resolved 
not to be in bondage. The spirit of liberty was 
invincible ; for their descendants, rather than sub- 
mit to the British acts of parliament, who claimed 
a right to make laws to bind the colonies in all cases 
whatever, made resistance to their arbitrary and un- 
constitutional edicts. War ensued — and as soon as 
blood was shed, the then colonies made common 
cause, and, by the blessing of God, they maintain- 
ed their liberties -and independence ; and the pres- 
ent generation are enjoying the blessings which 
were purchased by the blood, the treasure and suf- 
ferings of their fathers. 

But had it not been for the spirit of liberty which 
pervaded New-England, especially Massachusetts, 



the war of the revolution would not have been sup* 
ported. — But I am not going to give an history of 
the struggle and war, which terminated in the es- 
tablishment of our liberties and independence. 

" One generation shall praise thy works unto an- 
other, and shall declare thy mighty acts." 

God, knowing the propensity or desire that there 
is in man to be acquainted with past events, has 
made provision that that desire should be gratified. 

Moses has given a clear but concise account of the 
creation — of the world — of man — of his fall — and 
of the universal corruption of mankind. He was 
commissioned to be the deliverer of Israel from E- 
gypt, and their lawgiver. And after he had effect- 
ed their deliveranee, and led them through the v/il- 
derness for the space of forty years, and had brought 
them to the borders of Canaan, he recapitulated un- 
to them the dealings of God towards thenrjunto 
their fathers. He set himself to rehearse tb the 
people the wonderful works of God ; reminded 
them of the murmurings and rebellions of their fa- 
thers, notwithstanding all the wonders God did for 
them that they might trust in him. 

Thev were frequently reminded of God's care 
and loving kindness, that they might retain a grate- 
ful remembrance of his mercies. 

The seventy-eighth Psalm is a very striking in- 
stance to the purpose. " Give ear, 6 my people, 
to my law : incline your ears to the words of my 
mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable : I will 
utter dark sayings of old ; which we have heard and 
known, and our fathers have told us. We will not 
hide them from our children, shewing to the genera- 
tion to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, 
and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he 
established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law 
in Israel, which he commanded our fathers that they 
should make them known to their children; that 



the creneration to come might set their hope in God, 
and'Iiot forget his works, but keep his command- 
ments," &c.— and goes on and gives an historical 
account of the great things God did for their ances- 
tors, in dividing the sea for them, and giving them 
the pillar of the cloud for a shade by day, and for a 
li^ht by night. The design of thus rehearsing the 
d?alini of God towards their fathers was, that they 
might set their hope in God, and not forget his 
works. You see it was enjoined as a duty to tell 
their children what God had done, and they were to 
tell the same to their children. _ . , -,• 

Hence we see the propriety of such historical dis- 
courses at certain periods. Forty years was a re- 
markable period of old ; for so long God bore the 
manners of his people ; so long he kept them in the 
wilderness, as a punishment for their murmurings 
and rebellions, until all that generation, from twenty 
years old and upward, were consumed, excepting 
Caleb and Joshua. 

Fifty years is also a period to be noticed ; for ev- 
ery fifty' years was a jubilee. Every seventh year 
was a sabbatical year, when the Israelites were nei- 
ther to sow nor reap. 

God caused the earth, every sixth year, to pro- 
duce a triple crop. When seven sabbatical years 
were finished, there was a jubilee, a year of re- 
joicing ; for then every one was restored to free- 
dom who was in servitude for debts, and all debts 
were relinquished, and every one was restored to 
his possession. These laws were peculiar to God's 
covenant people, and were designed to preserve lib- 
erty and equality. For no one could add field to 
field, and l^ecome overgrown with riches. And 
undoubtedly it was typical of the great jubilee by 
Jesus Christ, who came to preach the acceptable 
year of the Lord. All v/ho embrace him are made 
free ; for if the Son shall make you free, ye shall be 



free indeed. AH who submit to him, have their 
debts, their sins forgiven them, and they may re- 
joice. Christ repeatedly said to them whom he 
healed, " Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven 
thee." And no joy can equal that which they 
have who have good evidence that their sins are 
forgiven. It is greater than the joy^of harvest. 

By what has been said, you may perceive that I 
have been preparing the way (perhaps I have been 
too long) to discourse of events that have occurred 
in Providence in the fifty years which were yester- 
day completed since my ordination over the people 
of this town. 

I have felt it a duty to take a particular notice of 
the time, especially wheH I consider how few in the 
ministry are spared so long. 

Surely I have much reason gratefully to acknowl- 
edge the goodness of God, that he has spared my 
life, when almost all my brethren who were cotem- 
porary with me have ceased from their labours, and 
are silent in the grave. In a field of grain that is 
reaped, there is here and there a stalk left standing : 
so, here and there an aged minister is left, while 
the rest are cut down. 

Although I am sensible of the decay of the pow- 
ers of both body and mind, (and I suppose you too 
are sensible of it,) I enjoy health, and am able to go 
through the publick exercises with as litde fatigue as 
ever ; and I take more particular notice of it, because 
it was not expected, in my long sickness and weak- 
ness, that I should ever be what I am.* God had 
more service for me to do ; so he spared my life, and 
raised me up from the gates of death to declare his 
works. And I hope it has not been in vain that my life 
has been prolonged. What further service he has for 
me to perform, is known only to him. But I view 

* The author v/as laid by from preaching 26 sabbaths. His sickness 
began in Octobtr, li;09. 



myself as near to the eternal world, and I desire to 
speak as one on the borders of eternity. 

" One generation shall praise thy works unto an- 
other, and shall declare thy mighty acts." 

At my ordination, there were fifty-eight families 
in the town ; and I think they did not average 
more than five to a family ; and if so, there were 
but 290. Now, I suppose there are more than 
' 1100. Since my settlement^ the town of Gardner 
has been formed. About 4000 acres were taken 
from this. The meeting-house stands on what was 
the southwest corner lot of this town. And a num- 
ber of families, with their lands, have been annexed 
to Ashby. 

This town was originally granted to the heirs of 
those in Dorchester who perished in an unsuccess- 
ful expedition against Canada, and was called Dor- 
chester Canada, until its incorporation by its pres- 
ent name, which act passed Feb. 22, 1765. The 
grant of the township, to be equal to six miles 
square, was made in 1735. 

To the original grant, four farms Were annexed : 
Lexington Farm, Cambridge Farm, each of 1000 
acres, Rolf's Farm, of 7 or 800 acres, and another 
of 1000 ; which were located west of Lunenburg 
and Townsend, and north of Westminster, before 
this town was granted, which made it very large. 
Perhaps a third part of the town of Ashby was ta- 
ken from this in the year 1767. 

In 1739, the proprietors, as they were obliged, 
erected a meeting-house, 50 by 40. It was the' 
first frame that was set up in the town ; and it has 
been considered, and was at the time, as an extra- 
ordinary enterprize, that it was raised by only six- 
teen men.— In this place it is proper to observe, 
that in the summer of 1766 a hurricane passed over 
this hill, and made a wreck of the meeting-house, 
and moved it to the north and to the east two or 



10 

three feet. It was thought at first that it could not 
be repaired ; but it was, and stood until 1791, un- 
til this house was completed, which was raised 
May 24, and dedicated Nov. 10 following, and at 
that time was thought to be equal for elegance to 
any in this region. But to return. 

Settlers came on the year the first house was rais- 
ed, and made a beginning ; but quitted the ground 
in consequence of a war which broke out that year, 
which exposed them to the Indians^ A Mr. Fitch, 
of Lunenburgh, now Ashby, was captivated and 
carried to Canada ; and on their way they stopped 
at the meeting-house, the roof of which was cover- 
ed ; but they did no damage to it. I believe none 
returned to settle till that war ended, which was in 
1748. Before the war of 1755 broke out, set- 
tlements were made principally in that part of the 
town which was taken on to Ashby. Mr. Jeremy 
Foster lived here when he had no neighbour within 
six or seven miles. Some soldiers were stationed 
in these parts, to range the wildernessy and protect 
the scattered inhabitants. They had occasional 
preaching in this town, but no settled minister until 
April, 1760, when the ReV. Jonathan Winchester 
was ordained, and lived in peace, and was respect- 
ed and beloved, until Nov. 26, 1767, when he died 
much lamented. 

At his ordination, a church was gathered, con- 
sisting of 13 male members including himself. 
During his ministry 29 were admitted, partly new 
members, and partly from other churches. 

At my ordination there were 19 male members, 
and 230 have since been added ; so that all who 
have been admitted to this church, including those 
in the foundation of it, amount to 272 ; and if there 
were as many female as male members in the forma- 
tion of the church, the whole number u-ill be 284. 
926 have beenbaptized,andl9adults, since myordi- 



11 

iiation. But many who have been bom here have 
not been baptized. I cannot ascertain the number 
of births in 50 years, but I think they cannot fall 
sliort of 1200. 

The number that now belongs to this church is 
123 — 36 males and 87 females. I wish you to ob- 
serve the numbers ; 36 males and 87 females ; 
more than two to one. Why is it so ? I wish the 
males to take this matter into serious consideration. 

The two first deacons were Moses Foster and 
Samuel Fellows, and they were in office at my set- 
tlement. Brother Tristram Cheney succeeded Dea- 
con Foster, who was chosen Feb. 27, 1769. Broth- 
er John Willard succeeded Deacon Fellows upon 
"his removal out of town, and was chosen in 1772. 
Brother Samuel Wilder was chosen successor to 
Deacon Cheney, Feb. 1773. In 1788, Dec. 4th, 
Brothers Peter Stone and Jacob Harris were cho- 
sen. In August, 1798, Brothers Elisha White and 
Sherebiah Hunt were chosen successors of Deacon 
Wilder and Deacon Stone. Upon the 'death of 
Deacon Wkite, Brother Samuel Ward was chosen, 
July 7, 1817. 

The number of deaths in half a century has been 
472, which upon an average is a fraction over nine 
in a year. There was not a grown person died 
while my predecessor was minister. An aged Ger- 
man died the summer after Mr. Winchester, but 
was not buried in this grave-yard. When I settled, 
there were but three graves of adults : one was Mr, 
Winchester's ; one of a Mr. Haskell, from Lancas- 
ter, who, with two brothers, came to hunt, and was 
shot by them through mistake, when there was not 
an inhabitant in the town ; the other was of an aged 
widow, who was accidentally drowned. Some 
years after my settlement, in digging a grave, the 
sexton came upon the foot of a coffin : there was no 
appearance of a grave. Who was buried there, has 



12 ^ 

never been discovered. In May, 1769, a Mr. Dvvight 
died after a short illness, and then there was not a 
death of an adult for more than five years. In 
1769, there were two deaths ; in '70, only a pre- 
mature infant; in '71, five, all infants; in '72, 
two ; in '73, three infants;" in '74, folir, one adult. 
No mortal, sweeping sickness has prevailed at any 
time. The greatest mortality was in 1794, when 
the number of deaths was 20 : that year the canker 
rash prevailed. The year this house was built,, 
there were but six deaths. In the years '97 aqd 
1802, there were but five deaths in each. Of the 
whole number 472, 60 lived to the age of 70 or more. 

I have long thought that this is a remarkably 
health}^ town. It is on the height of land', str'efims' 
running from it both to Connecticut aiid rMerri- 
mack ri\^fs. There are but few dead ^^wamps to 
send forth pestiferous exhalations. 

In attending my brother Lee's Half Century Ser- 
mon, ong fortnjght since, I found that in Royalston 
they had buried, in 50 years, 780 ; in one year,.8Q, 
and in another, over 50. i|| 

There have been but few deaths by accidents. 
A little child, many years ago, was burnt todeath. — 
At the close of 1774, Samuel Stone perished in 
consequence of getting lost. He left his house on 
Wednesday morning. It was cloudy. A violent 
storm came on ; and having lost the points of com- 
pass, he wandered that day and night, and was not 
found and brought home until Saturday night. He 
was a pitiful object : his feet were frozen as hard as 
flesh could be. He died Sabbath night in great an- 
guish. — A few years since, a Mr. Shaw was found 
dead on the snow. Having lost his way, and no 
doubt greatly fatigued, he laid down and died.-— 
And Mr. Constantine died in consequence of his 
horse's going off a high bridge in Ashby. His ^yife 
was with him in the sleigh : she was very much jar. 



13 

red, but m a little time recovered. — And Mr. Wilder, 
in his deranged state, fell through the ice in crossing 
a pond in Douglas or Dudley. He supported him- 
self near an hour, and then sunk, his situation be- 
ing such that no help could be afforded in season. 

The number of marriages which I have solem- 
nized is 287. 

There is but one who was head of a family at my 
ordination, left in town.* How many are living 
who removed from us, who were active in my set- 
tlement, I cannot ascertain : I know but of three or 
four ; so that a new generation is risen up. One 
generation passeth away, and another cometh. 

The events which I have been detailing which 
liave taken place among us, are as atoms when com- 
pared with what has taken place in the United 
States and in the world. 

The opposition to the acts of the British parlia- 
ment — the war that ensued — the struggles, the fa- 
tigues, the sufferings of the officers and soldiers in 
the war of the revolution — the anxieties and hard- 
ships of those at home, both men and women, can- 
not be fully conceived of by the present generation. 
It cost the States immense blood and treasure. How 
many lives in the whole were lost, I am not able to 
say. How many were lost from this town, I can 
tell. But one fell in battle ; but a number died in 
the army, or on their way home, or after they reach- 
ed their homes, as many as nine. 

But success attended. God was on our side. 
Though the first years were unpromising, the con- 
clusion was equal to our most sanguine expecta- 
tions. Our liberties were secured, our indepen- 
dence was acknowledged by Great-Britain, and by 
the other nations of Europe, one after another. 

What people have been more highly favoured ! 
God raised up Washington to lead our armies to vie- 

* Mr. Eno8 Jones, 



14 

tory and independence ; and when the new Consti- 
tution was established, he \vas, by a unanimous vote 
of the people, placed twice at the head of the govern- 
ment, where he shone with as distinguished lustre 
as at the head of our armies. Where is the man in 
all profane history to be set in competition with 
him ? Americans delight in contemplating his 
character. In no period has any man been more 
admired and extolled. Almost unlimited confi- 
dence was placed in him, and he never abused it. 
What a gloom was spread over the nation when 
this distinguished person fell a victim to death I 
What a triumph did the king of terrours obtain ! 

What period in the annals of time has been filled 
with more important events than the last fifty years? 

What people ever before had the liberty and op- 
portunity deliberately to form constitutions of govern- 
ment, in which liberty is secured to every individual, 
and provision made for amendments, when time and 
experience shall point out their necessity ? Our 
governments, contrary to the predictions of our en- 
emies, have become firm and as fixed as they were 
while we were in subjection to Great-Britain. In 
these United States great internal improvements 
have been made since the peace of 1783, in agri- 
culture and manufactures, in roads, in buildings 
publick and private, in canals, bridges, &c. Is it 
not astonishing to contemplate what has been done 
in making roads ? Roads that, fifty years ago, or 
even thirty, were hardly passable on horseback, 
now may be passed with carriages, and with des- 
patch. The number of great bridges is surprising. 
What would those who left the world forty or fifty 
years ago, think, were they to rise up and see what 
has been done ? 

Go where you will in New-England, you may 
see elegant meeting and dwelling houses. A sur- 
prising change has also taken place respecting 
school- houses and in instruction. 



15 

To what a pitch have manufactures been carried t 
Further, perhaps, than they would have been in 
two hundred years, if we had continued in sub- 
jection to Great-Britain. We should have been 
kept under governours who would have withheld 
their assent to every act for encouraging manufac- 
tures, lest it should injure Old England. 

As to commerce, American ships now navigate 
every sea. In ship-building and in managing them, 
none in the world exceed Americans. As to ships 
of war, and fighting in them, the Americans, in the 
last war, frequently obtained the victory, indeed in 
almost every engagement ; and undoubtedly the 
British are the first in Europe. 

The American revolution in a few years was fol- 
lowed by a mighty one in France. But their first 
constitution was of short duration. They did not 
appear to have had right conceptions of liberty and 
of a free government. The people were led by vi- 
olent men ; they killed their King ; innocent blood 
flowed in torrents. One revolution followed anoth- 
er, until Buonaparte usurped the government, and 
the people submitted because they were wearied 
with such continual changes. They wished for a 
government upon which they could have depend- 
ance. 

This Buonaparte waxed mighty in power. He 
was successful in his wars, until he became the ter- 
rour of Europe ; and, excepting Great-Britain, he 
became the sovereign of it, and gave law to tlie na- 
tions ; and to what his power would grow, no man 
could tell. Spain at length dared to oppose his 
power. Also the Empcrour of Russia, weary of 
being his vassal, made opposition ; in consequence 
of which, he was invaded by an army exceeding all 
of modern times. Buonaparte took possession of 
ISloscow, the ancient capital, to which the Russians 
set fire, rather than it should aftbrd him winter 



16 

quarters. Then followed, upon the retreat of the 
French, such a scene of distress to Buonaparte and 
his army as has no parallel in history. His mighty 
army was almost annihilated. But he was not dis- 
heartened. Intoxicated with power, and grasping 
at too much, he lost all. The next year, with an 
army nearly equal to the preceding, he set out for 
conquest and revenge ; but was met by an army 
equal, or nearly so. He was defeated ; he was pur- 
sued into France, and was dethroned, and the Bour- 
bon family reinstated. He returned the next year 
from the island of Elba, which he had chosen 
for his residence, and with scarce any resistance 
seated himself again on the throne. But the allied 
powers moved in their might to dispossess him. 
At the dreadful battle of Waterloo, he was entirely 
defeated, and is now a prisoner on a far distant isl- 
and, where he has time for reflection, and where, 
for the peace of Europe, it is hoped he will remain. 

His rise was remarkable. He was raised up by 
the Almighty for a scourge to the nations ; and 
when the purposes were answered for which he was 
clothed with such gigantick po\ver, he was laid a- 
side. History will hardly furnish an instance of 
such an astonishing reverse of fortune. This re- 
markable change furnishes every crowned head 
with a solemn admonition, and shows that thrones 
can be firmly established only by righteousness. 

Within the period under consideration, the ene- 
mies of Christ and his religion have made unwea- 
ried exertions to extirpate Christianity from the 
earth j and they had the vanity to believe that they 
should effect their purposes. That arch fiend Vol- 
taire was at the head; but the miserable wretch 
died in hoiiours. The Almighty saw fit to suffer 
tiicm to proceed to great lengths. Some crowned 
heads were among the infidels. '* Kings set them- 
selves and rulers took counsel together against the 



17 

Lofd and against his anointed ; saying, Let us 
break their bands asunder, and cast their cords 
from us. He that sitteth in the heavens laughed 
at them ; the Lord had them in derision. When 
the enemy were coming in hke a flood, the spirit of 
the Lord has hfted a standard against them." This 
scripture has been remarkably verified. Able wri- 
ters have appeared in the cause of Christ, whose 
arguments have not been answered, nor can be. 
In. the midst of war, the British and Foreign Bible 
Society, was formed. It originated with a few men 
who were concerned to promote the glory of God 
by disseminating the Holy Scriptures. They pro» 
ceeded. The Society wonderfully increased. Now 
most of the royal family and nobility are members. 
Auxiliary Societies have been formed in every part 
of Great-Britain. The Society have distributed 
vast numbers of Bibles and Testaments gratis, or 
at cost, or reduced prices. Bible Societies, since 
the formation of the British, which was in 1804, 
have been formed in every Christian protestant na- 
tion. And it is found that Bibles are sought after 
with great avidity. Instead of the Bible's being 
rooted out of the world, and Christianity along 
with it, as the infidel conspirators intended and ex- 
pected, it has become more extensively circulated, 
more generally read, and more loved and regarded, 
than at any former period. This is the Lord's do- 
ings. The counsel of the froward is carried head- 
long. " One generation shall praise thy works unto 
another, and declare thy mighty acts." These are 
the mighty acts of Jehovah. But I have not said 
all. A missionary spirit has pervaded Ml Christen- 
dom. Missionary Societies have been formed in 
the Christian world for bringing the heathen to the 
knowledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ. 
Nothing has been done, since the Reformation, for 
propagating the gospel, equal to what is now doing 

3 



18 

and has been done widiin these twenty years. 
There are at least seven Missionary Societies in 
this Commonwealth, formed more especially for 
supplying the new plantations. And there is a So- 
ciety for Foreign Missions among the Heathen ; 
and they have now thirteen missionaries among 
them, and more are going. And the Baptist Board 
of Foreign Missions have four missionaries in the 
East-Indies. There are, I believe, in every State 
both Bible and Missionary Societies. Also there 
is a National Bible Society. 

So many objects present themselves to the mind, 
that it is difficult to know what to select. 

Times are changed, and men are changed with 
them ; and I think for the better. For now, in- 
stead of crowned heads' being confederate with in- 
fidels, they have entered into an holy league to 
govern their subjects according to the rules of the 
gospel ; and they are become nursing fathers, and 
queens are nursing mothers, to the church, as pre- 
dicted. From present appearances, the latter day 
glory is ii\st approaching ; and the devout, benevo- 
lent Christian enjoys much pleasure by anticipating 
the felicity of that day. 

Though infidelity, vice and errour have prevail- 
ed, I believe there is more real religion at this day 
than twenty or thirty years ago. 

There have been revivals of religion in many 
places, and some of them very extensive' and re- 
markable ; and they have not been attended with 
extravagance and wild enthusiasm, with some ex- 
ceptions. I sincerely wish a more extensive revi- 
val had tak^n place among us. 

A few years ago, religion was at a very low ebb. 
The srates of Zion mourned because so few came 
up to her solemn feasts. For fifteen years, reck- 
oning from 1801, inclusive, there were but 42 new 
members admitted. But I have been encouraged! 



19 

by what has taken place this year and the two pre- 
ceding ; for there have been 47 admitted — more, 
you see, than in fifteen years before. 

In the six first years after my ordination, 80 
joined to the church ; so that the greater part of 
the married people were professors ; and surely it 
was encouraging. And it is encouraging now, in 
the evening of my life, to see so many coming for- 
ward and joining themselves to the Lord in cove- 
nant. Oh that its number might increase, and that 
every careless, thoughtless sinner might be aroused, 
and be in earnest in inquiring the way to Zion. 
And may all who have named the name of Christ 
^valk worthy of the Lord unto all well pleasing ! 

How much good I have done I know not, and 
perhaps it will not be known until the day of judg- 
ment. The thought that I had done no good in 
fifty years would be insupportable. But I have 
good reason to believe that I have not laboured 
wholly in vain. 

I know I have come short ; I have not improved 
many opportunities of doing good which I might. 
But I must say, that I have endeavoured to preach 
the truths of the gospel as far and as well as 1 knew 
them. It has been my aim and resolution to keep 
back nothing that was profitable, testifying repent- 
ance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, as the only way to obtain pardon and peace 
here, and happiness hereafter. 

Peace and harmony have generally prevailed a- 
mongst us, notwithstanding there is a diiference of 
sentiments both in religion and politicks. 

There has generally been manifested a disposi- 
tion that each should enjoy liberty of conscience. 
I have uniformly endeavoured to exercise charity 
towards dissenters, and to avoid asperity and cen- 
soriousness. And the reflection that I have thus 
endeavoured, affords satisfaction. In exercising the 



20 

discipline of Christ's kingdom, I have aimed to a- 
void severity. I have often thought of an observa- 
tion of the bishop of St. Asaph as worthy of re- 
gard — " The art of government consists in not 
governing too much." 

I am sensible I need the continuance of your 
candour. Allowances ought to be made for the 
defects and infirmities of old age. You must not 
expect too much from an old man. It is my wish 
and prayer that I may be useful while I live. O 
that every sinner might be brought to repentance ! 
There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repent- 
eth. If I should be so happy as to obtain heaven 
at last, what joyful tidings shall I carry to those 
who have gone thither from among us, if I should 
be able to tell them that many were submitting to 
the Lord Jesus, and were not ashamed of profess- 
ing him before men ! And what joy would it be to 
all here who love him, and are praying fervently 
for the advancement of his kingdom, by the in- 
. crease of converts, and by the holy and exemplary 
lives of professors. Let me exhort all who have 
named the name of Christ, to have their conversa- 
tion as becometh the gospel. Let me exhort heads 
of families to walk before their houses with upright 
hearts. Train up your children in the way they 
should go ; bring them up in the nurture and ad- 
monition of the Lord. Pray with and for them. 

Let me address a few words to the aged. 

We have grown old together, and we shall not 
be long divided in death. We have seen days of 
sorrow and trouble. Our warfare is almost accom- 
plished. We have yet to encounter with the war 
of death. Let me ask, have we fought the good 
light, the fight of faith ? If we have, there is laid 
up for us a crown of righteousness, which the 
Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give us at the day 
of retribution. Upon taking a reti'ospective view 



21 

of our lives, we can see many things for which we 
have reason to be ashamed and humbled before 
God. If any of us are now without a hope well 
grounded, surely it is high time to awake out of 
sleep. If any of us have neglected the great salva- 
tion to old age, we are in danger of being cast oft' 
forever. 

To the young people I would say, seek first the 
kingdom of God and his righteousness. This is the 
command of the Lord Jesus ; and dare you dis- 
regard it ? Oh be wise, and consider your latter 
end. Know ye the God of your fathers, and serve 
him. If you seek him, he will be found of you ; 
but if ye forsake him, he will cast you off for- 
ever. 

I would speak a few words to the youth. 

At catechisings, and when visiting the schools, 
you know I have given you counsels, instructions 
and warnings. How much you have regarded, I 
know not. Numbers of you, no doubt, have made 
light of what I have said. It is probable some of 
you think that you will be religious when you are 
old. Delays are dangerous. You may be assured 
that not more than one quarter of you will live to 
be as old as I now am. I may never have oppor- 
tunity of speaking to you again. " Remember now 
thy Creator in the days of thy youth." Do not for- 
get that I thus called upon you after I had been 
preaching half a hundred years. If my life is 
spared, you may expect yet to hear counsels and 
instructions ; and oh that you may regard them ! 
that you do not mourn at the last, when thy flesh 
and thy body are consuming, when all mourning 
and lamentation will be unavailing. 

It is customary for ministers who have lived to 
deliver half century sermons, to give their people 
some advice respecting their proceedings about a 
successor. 



23 

When I take a view of the present situation of 
this town, I feel myself under an embarrassment 
what to say. I have some unpleasant apprehen- 
sions as to what may take place after I have finish- 
ed my course ; and I am not alone in my appre- 
hensions. It is well known that there is a differ- 
ence of religious sentiments ; and if there should 
be still further separations, it may be that this soci- 
ety shall think that they shall not have ability to set- 
tle another minister to give the salary of the present 
day. 

When I am sleeping in my tomb, you may get 
into divisions and contentions, and live many years 
without a minister. But I will not indulge myself 
in too gloomy apprehensions. Things often take a 
turn much more favourable than was apprehended. 
Jesus is King and Head of the church ; the hearts 
of all are in his hands, and he can turn them as he 
pleases. If you should be so happy as to obtain a 
candidate of pleasing manners, of good abilities and 
acquirements, one who appears to be a man of real 
piety, and who preaches Christ and him crucified, 
yon may continue united. A people will do what 
they have a mind to. What is thought to be a 
burden, will be one. 

Let me entreat you to avoid contentions and di- 
visions ; for where there is strife and contention, 
there is confusion and every evil work. Union 
will be your strength. Behold how good and how 
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity ! 
You have had opportunity to observe the evils of 
contention in other towns adjoining. Study the 
things that make for peace, and things which may 
edify one another. When contention gets to be 
sharp, social intercourse is interrupted, and some- 
times fiimilies are divided, the father against the 
son, and the son against the father, and brother a- 
gainst brother. Such a state is greatly to be dep- 



23 

recated. Let all who love the Lord Jesus Christ 
and his religion, be fervent in prayer to the God of 
all grace for direction. Pray for the peace of Jeru- 
salem. " They shall prosper that love thee." (Ps» 
cxxii.) And pray for your minister. He is has- 
tening to the great tribunal. The time of my de- 
parture is at hand. It is a consolation that the 
blood of Jesus was shed for the priesthood as well 
as for the people. Through that blood I hope for 
redemption, even the forgiveness of sins. His blood 
cleanseth from all sin. If I am finally saved, I now 
declare my firm belief that it will not be by works 
of righteousness that I have done or can do, but ac- 
cording to the mercy of God, by the washing of 
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. — 
I will no longer trespass upon your patience. 

My brethren and friends, I commend you to 
God and to the word of his grace, which is able to 
build you up, and to give you an inheritance among 
all them who are sanctified. — Amen. 







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